Ammunition magazine with removable follower



Aug. 6, 1968 G. E. COLLINS 3,

AMMUNITION MAGAZINE WITH REMOVABLE FOLLOWER Filed Dec. 22, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 8 INVENTOR.

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5. E. COLLINS 3,395,479

AMMUNITION MAGAZINE WITH REMOVABLE FOLLOWER Aug. 6, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 22, 1966 INVENTOR. GEORGE tfCacu/vs AMMUNITION MAGAZINE WITH REMOVABLE FOLLOWER G. E. COLLINS Aug. 6, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet3 Filed Dec.

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5 6 i M 8 E Ar TORNEYU United States atent 3,395,479 Patented Aug. 6, 1 968 3,395,479 AMMUNITION MAGAZINE WITH REMOVABLE FOLLOWER George E. Collins, Rte. 1, Wyoming, Minn. 55092 Filed Dec. 22, 1966, Ser. No. 603,822 Claims. (Cl. 4250) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An ammunition magazine having capacity to carry a plurality of rifle shells and operable to consecutively feed these shells into a position for chambering in a rifle. The magazine has a casing for storing the shells and a spring biased follower for moving the shells to the top of the casing. The top of the side walls of the casing has inwardly directed flanges provided with cut-outs which permit the follower and the biasing spring to be removed from the casing enabling the entire magazine to be cleaned thereby insuring proper movement of the shells in the casing and smooth feeding of the shells from the casing.

The invention relates to an ammunition magazine for slide action, lever action and semi-automatic rifles. More particularly the ammunition magazine of this invention has a follower which can be removed from the top of the magazine without the use of tools or removing structure from the magazine casing.

Prior to this invention virtually all of the ammunition magazines having removable followers are box type magazines. The followers may be withdrawn by the use of a slide closure plate at the bottom of the magazine. The patents to Mauser, No. 1,129,884 and Humeston, No. 2,265,170 are examples of this type of structure. An ammunition magazine having a follower which can be removed from the topof the magazine casing is shown in the patent to Loomis, No. 1,858,862. Before the follower can be removed it must be disconnected from the magazine spring and moved forwardly enabling the nose of the follower to be lifted out of the casing. Special tools must be used to disassemble the follower from the spring and remove the follower from the casing.

Briefly described, the ammunition magazine of this invention has a follower which can be removed from the magazine casing enabling the casing, follower and the spring to be cleaned and quickly placed in assembled relation without the use of tools. It is a common practice for hunters to carry extra ammunition magazines or clips in their hunting jackets. These clips collect dirt, tobacco as well as snow and water and therefore must be periodically cleaned before they can be effectively used. The magazine casing of this invention is provided with inwardly turned flanges at the top of the casing. These flanges have cut-outs forming openings enabling the follower to be removed from the casing without the use of tools. The inwardly turned flanges also function as guides for the rifle shell as it is chambered by the action of the rifle bolt. The cut-out in the flanges eliminate some of the friction on the shell as it slides forwardly from the magazine casing into the rifle chamber providing for smooth feeding action. In addition, the top of the casing has inclined and arcuate edges which produce a slight rolling of the shells as it moves forwardly producing easy and smooth feeding.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the ammunition magazine of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the magazine of FIGURE 1; v

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the magazine of FIGURE 1 carrying a plurality of rifle catridges;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 with the follower depressed and moved forwardly;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 showing the follower in full lines moved upwardly and rearwardly and in broken lines moved upwardly out of the magazine casing;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a modified ammunition magazine of this invention; and

FIGURE 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a further modified ammunition magazine.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGURE 1 the ammunition magazine of this invention indicated generally at 10. The magazine is used with slide action, lever action or semi-automatic rifles and is designed to have an eight shell capacity. The capacity of the magazine can be changed to carry more or less shells. When assembled or attached to the rifle the shells are automatically and consecutively fed by the magazine follower upwardly to a position for chambering in the rifle. Magazine 10 has a box-shaped casing indicated generally at 11 having an open top and a spring biased follower indicated generally at 12 located within the casing movable to force shells upwardly out of the casing.

Casing 11 has flat side walls 13 and 14 integral with end walls 16 and 17. The lower edges of walls 13, 14 and 16, 17 are joined to a pan-shaped bottom 18 by brazing, spot welding or the like. The magazine is retained in as sembled relation with the rifle by the rifle lock structure (not shown) coasting with recess and rib structure 19 in end wall 16 and lock structure 21 on the upper edge of wall 17.

To provide for proper centering and guiding of the shells in the magazine casing, side walls 13 and 14 have upright elongated ribs 22 and 23. In addition the top portions of side walls 13 and 14 are provided with particular structure and shapes so as to guide and center the shell for proper feeding of the shell into the chamber. The side walls are constructed to permit removal of follower 12 from casing 11 without the use of tools or disassembling any additional parts of the magazine.

The top portions of side walls 13 and 14 have inwardly directed flanges 24 and 26 provided with a first rear pair of cut-outs 27 and 28 and a second forward pair of cutouts 29 and 31. An inwardly directed lip 32 having a forward and inwardly curved trailing edge 33 forming the forward wall of cut-out 27 faces a similar shaped inwardly directed lip 34 "having an inwardly and forwardly curved trailing edge facing the cut-out 28. Cut-outs 29 and 31 are forward of lips 32 and 34 respectively and separtte shorter lips 37 and 39 from lips 32 and 34. Lip 37 has a short forwardly and inwardly inclined trailing edge 38. In the same manner lip 39 has a forwardly and inwardly curved trailing edge 41. The forward portion of the tops of side walls 13 and 14 have inwardly directed stop ledges 42 and 43 which coact with the forward end of the follower to retain the follower within casing 11.

Follower 12 has generally a flat plate 44, preferably made of rigid material including but not limited to plastic and metal, having an upright longitudinal rib 46 laterally of the center line of the follower. The sides of the follower have longitudinal recesses providing the follower with a general I shape. The rear end of follower 12 has upright side flanges 47 which coact with side walls 13 and 14 to guide the follower from movement in up and down directions. Similar flanges 48 are located at the forward end of the follower. As shown in FIGURE 2, the rear portion of follower 12 has a downwardly directed transverse rib or flange 49 which faces a groove or slot 51 in the forward portion of the follower. A spring 52 interposed between the follower and bottom 18 biases the follower in an inward direction until the rear side flanges 47 engage the casing side wall flanges 24 and 26 and the forward follower flanges 48 coact with the stop ledges 42 and 43 to limit the outward or upward movement of follower 12 relative to casing 11. Spring 52 is a reverse leaf spring having a flat top portion 53 attached to the bottom of the follower. The forward or free end of top portion 53 is positioned in slot 51 and retained in this position by the rib 49 which coacts with the first bend portion of the spring. The spring can be disassembled from follower 12 by removing the spring from rib 49 and withdrawing the end of top portion 53 from slot 51.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, magazine 10 is carrying a plurality of rifle shells 54. The shells are retained within the casing 11 by the action of follower 12 which wedges the shells between the follower and flange 26 and lips 32 and 37. The shells are located in staggered left and right relation to each other with the follower urging the shells upwardly. As soon as the shell has been removed from the top of the casing spring 52 moves follower 12 upwardly locating a new shell in the top of casing 11. Inwardly and forwardly curved edges 33 and 38 provide for the smooth and improved feeding of the shell into the chamber of the rifle. These edges have less drag on the shell and produce a slight rolling of the shell as it is moved forward into the chamber of the rifle.

Follower 12 can be removed from casing 11 as shown in FIGURES and 6 enabling the casing, follower and spring to be cleaned. Follower 12 may be removed from casing 11 by initially holding the casing in one hand and depressing the forward end of the follower downwardly into the casing with the first finger moving the rear end of the casing in alignment with first pair of cut-outs 27 and 28. These cut-outs provide the casing side walls with a suflicient transverse dimension or width to allow the larger rear end of the follower to move upwardly through cut-outs 27 and 28. This allows the follower to move upwardly out of casing 11. As shown in FIGURE 6, follower 12 is moved upwardly and rearwardly as shown by arrow 56, drawing the forward end of the follower away from wall 17. The follower is then pivoted upwardly through the second pair of cut-outs 29 and 31 as shown by arrow 57. Spring 52 being attached to follower 12 is carried upwardly along with the follower as shown in broken lines in FIGURE 6. Spring 52 may be detached from the follower by releasing the top portion 53 of the spring from the transverse rib 49 and removing the spring from slot 51.

Follower 12 can be reassembled into casing 11 by inserting the forward end downwardly into the casing through cut-outs 29 nad 31. The follower then is moved downwardly into the casing as indicated by arrow 56 until the rear end of the follower is in alignment with the first pair or rear cut-outs 27 and 28. This end is then placed under the flanges 24 and 26. On release of the follower spring 52 biases the follower to its up position as shown in FIGURE 2.

Referring to FIGURE 7, there is shown a modified ammunition magazine indicated generally at 58 having a casing 59 and follower 61. A spring (not shown) located within the casing biases the follower in an outward direction. Casing 59 is a metal box having an open top and generally flat side walls 62 and 63. Each side wall has an inverted L-shaped rib 64 providing guides for the shells in the casing. The upper portions of the ribs 64 are inwardly directed longitudinal flanges 66 and 67 which serve as stops for the follower. The opposite or rear end of casing 59 has inwardly directed flanges 68 and 69 which serve as rear stops for the follower. Located between the flanges 67, 68 and 66, 69 are lips 71 and 72 forming cutouts 73 and 74 in the side walls which permit removal of the follower from the casing. The lips have forwardly, upwardlv and inwardly curved edges 76 and 77 which provide the shell with a slight roll as it is moved into the rifle chamber as well as reduce the friction on the shell. The forward ends of lips 71 and 72 have upright edges 78 and 79 to accommodate the rifle structure. Ribs 64 are slightly forward of edges 78 and 79.

Referring to FIGURE 8, there is shown a further modification of the ammunition magazine of this invention indicated generally at 81. This magazine includes a box shaped casing 82 having an open top and carrying a follower 83 biased in an upward direction by a spring 84. Follower 83 and spring 84 are identical in construction to follower 12 and spring 52 shown in FIGURES 1 to 6. Casing 82 is adapted to accommodate rifle shells of varying length. This is accomplished by providing the top side walls of the casing with long inwardly turned flanges 86 and the use of the removable U-shaped insert 91 to position the shells so that they are located in a position where the bolt of the rifle can pick up the shell and move it into the rifle chamber. Casing 82 has top side walls similar in shape to casing 11. The side walls have inwardly directed lips 87 which separate a first rear cut-out 88 and a second forward cut-out 89 providing for the removal of follower 83 from the casing as well as improved feeding of the shells into the rifle chamber. U-shaped insert 91 is a continuous metal spring having rearward projections 92 which position the insert forwardly of the adjacent front wall of the casing. The upper end of the forward leg has a forwardly curved tip 93 which serves as a guide for the shells as they are removed from the casing. The opposite or rear leg of the insert has a rearwardly projected ledge 94 which spaces the insert from the rear wall of the casing thereby locating the shorter shells in a forward position so that the bolt of the rifle will pick up the shells in the feeding action.

The above description is directed to the preferred embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that various omissions, substitutions, changes in shape, details of the ammunition magazine may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. The invention is limited only by the scope of the following claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A magazine for shells comprising a box-shaped casing having spaced walls and an open top, a follower movably disposed within the casing between the walls, means biasing the follower toward the open top, said walls having longitudinal top flange means projected toward each other to coact with the follower to hold the shells in the casing, each of said flange means having first and second longitudinally spaced cut-outs separating each flange means into separate lip sections, the lip sections of the flange means facing each other, the midsection of the follower having a width less than the distance between facing lip sections, said first cut-outs of the flange means providing a first top opening enabling one end of the follower to be removed from the casing, said mid-section of the follower passing between facing lip sections, and said second cut-outs of the flange means providing a second top opening enabling the other end of the follower to be removed from the casing whereby the entire follower can be removed from the casing.

2. The magazine of claim 1 wherein said separate lip sections include a forward lip section and an intermediate lip section, said forward lip section being smaller than the intermediate lip section.

3. The magazine of claim 1 wherein said separate lip sections include a forward lip section and an intermediate lip section, each lip section having an upwardly and forwardly curved rear edge.

4. The magazine of claim 1 wherein said follower has longitudinal side recesses and upright side flanges at the opposite ends of the follower which coact With the side walls of the casing to guide the follower in the casing.

5. A magazine for shells comprising a box-shaped casing having spaced walls and an open top, a follower movably disposed within the casing between the walls, means biasing the follower toward the open top, said walls having longitudinal top flange means projected toward each other to coact with the follower to hold the shells in the casing, said flange means having cut-outs forming openings enabling the follower to be removed from the casing, said follower having a transverse slot at one end and a transverse flange at the other end, said biasing means comprising a spring having a first portion disposed in said slot and a second portion engageable with said transverse flange to hold the first portion in said slot.

6. The magazine of claim 5 wherein said follower is made of a plastic material.

7. The magazine of claim 5 wherein said flange means includes two pairs of inwardly directed lips.

8. The magazine of claim 7 wherein the forward pair of lips is smaller than the rear pair of lips.

9. The magazine of claim 7 wherein the forward pair of lips each have an upwardly and forwardly curved rear edge.

10. A magazine for shells comprising a box-shaped casing having spaced walls and an open top, a follower movably disposed within the casing between the walls, means biasing the follower toward the open top, said walls having longitudinal top flange means projected toward each other to coact with the follower to hold the shells in the casing, each of said flange means having first and second longitudinally spaced cut-outs separating each flange means into separate lip sections, the lip sections of the flange means facing each other, said first cut-outs of the flange means providing a first top opening enabling one end of the follower to be removed from the casing and said second cut-outs of the flange means pro viding a second top opening enabling the other end of the follower to be removed from the casing whereby the entire follower can be removed from the casing, and comprising a U-shaped spring located within said casing to reduce the effective inside length of the casing, said follower movable within said insert means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,850,729 3/1932 Sedgley 42-18 2,265,170 12/1941 Humeston 42-50 2,434,269 1/1948 Harvey 42-50 2,895,248 7/1959 Sawin 4250 2,903,809 9/1959 Stoner 4250 3,087,270 4/1963 Stoner 4250 BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner. 

